Collapsible table with detachable tray top



April 13, 1954 s. DERMAN 2,675,286 COLLAPSIBLE TABLE WITH DETACHABLE TRAY TOP Filed Dec. 25, 1952 INVENTOR SAM DERMAN ATTORNEY SBVZIMZ M Mr r" Patented Apr. 13, 1954 COLLAPSIBLE TABLE WITH DETACHABLE TRAY TOP Sam Derman, Jamaica, N. Y.

Application December 23, 1952, Serial No. 327.533

This invention rel-ates to what are generally referred to as collapsible tables, wherein leg members are collapsible with respect to a table top so as to facilitate compact packaging and storage of the table. More particular, the invention deals with a structure of the character described, wherein a simple spring mounting is provided for detachably coupling the leg members with the table top to facilitate folding and, further, to facilitate detachment of the table top for use as a tray.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a collapsible table structure of the character described, wherein yieldable means is provided for retaining the parts in collapsed position.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the table with the parts in collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged broken sectional view through the table showing the spring mountlugs for the leg members with parts of the structure broken away and in section; and

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of one of the spring members which I employ in the form assumed thereby prior to attachment to the table.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, I have shown at In a combination table top and tray which may have any desired contour, but which is shown in Fig. 2 as having rounded corners l I and recessed sides [2. Secured to the lower surface of the table inwardly of but adjacent the sides l2 are a pair of parallel rails l 3, each rail having opposed sockets, adjacent one end thereof and a pair of opposed sockets i5 and I6 adjacent the other end portion thereof.

Arranged in the sockets I 4, l5 and I6 are substantially U-shaped spring clips, or retaining members, ll, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 4 of the drawing in the shape assumed thereby prior to attachment to the sockets I 4, l5 and [6. Each member l1 comprises a crosshead I 8, a short side IS, a long yielding side 20, the side 19 having an offset prong portion 2| whereas the end of the side 2!! terminates in a flange 22. It will be noted that each socket I l-46 is generally in the form of a channel, the channel having a notch or extended groove portion 23 which, in

2 Claims. (Cl. 311-79) the socket M, is directed toward the adjacent end of the rails [3; whereas in the sockets l5 and I6, the notches extend in the direction of the other end of the rails l3, as will clearly appear from a consideration of Fig- 1 of the drawing. The notches 23 are provided for the purpose of giving free movement to the yielding or spring sides 20 of the members H, as later described.

Considering Fig. 4 of the drawing, it will appear that the sides I9 and 20 are arranged in angular relationship to each other and to the cross-head IS in such manner that, when the members I! are pressed down into the sockets I l-46, the prong ends 2! will be driven into one side wall of the sockets in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 3; whereas, the spring side 20 will assume the position shown in full lines at the right of Fig. 3 or be sprung inwardly into the socket, so as to tensionally grip top crossrods 24,, 25 of a leg frame 25. The ro 24 may be said to form the pivot mounting of the leg frame 26 in the table, particularly in swinging the leg frame into the collapsed position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. This rod joins the upper ends of a pair of leg members 21; whereas, the rod 25 joins the other pair of leg members 28.

At 29 is shown a crossrod forming a central pivot of the leg members 2'! and 28 one with respect to the other. The lower end portions of the leg members are also preferably braced by crossrods 30 on the leg members 21 and 3| on the leg members 28.

It will appear from a consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing that the central pivot rod 29 is adapted to enter the sockets IE to engage the spring members in said sockets in supporting the leg frame in its collapsed position on the lower surface of the table.

When collapsed, it will be understood that the leg members 21 will substantially parallel the rails l3; whereas, the leg members 28 will project slightly at the pivot end 24 of the assemblage, keeping in mind that the rod 3| will rest upon the rails l3.

It will be understood that, by providing the spring clips or retaining members described, no screws or other fastening means are required in assembling these members in the sockets, thus materially simplifying the cost of production of the resulting product. It will also be understood that, whenever desired, the entire leg frame 26 can be detached with respect to the table II! and, at such time, the table may be utilized as a serving tray, thus providing two distinct uses for the combination.

In mounting the several rods 24, 25 and 29 in the sockets, it will be understood that these rods are of such dimensions as to require forcible movement of the rods into the sockets to flex the spring sides outwardly, the flanges 22 operating in the notches 23 in this operation and, when moved into final position, the sides 20 will spring outwardly to a slight extent, thus securely holding the leg frame on the table when the table is lifted and carried about with the hands engaging the table only. In other words, the spring members ll will be sufiiciently strong to more than support the weight of the leg frame. However, by forcibly removing the rod 25 from the sockets t5, the leg frame can be collapsed in the manner shown in Fig. 2 and again the rod 29 is forcibly moved into the sockets"; and this securely holds the leg frame in collapsed position upon the lower surface of the table.

It will be understood that, in driving the spring members 17 into position in the sockets, they are so positioned as to bring the crossheads is into engagement with the base of the sockets in the manner which is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

It will be apparent that the spring members or clips I! are contained entirely within the boundaries of the channel sockets including the notches thereof, the short side of the member being shorter than the depth of the socket and has its prong embedded in one side wall of the socket; Whereas the long side of the spring memher is substantially equal to the depth of the socket and this construction, in addition to'providing a neat and finished appearance, also avoids any projections which might be injurious to the hand in operation of setting up and collapsing the table structure.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible table structure of the character described, comprising a leg frame having two pairs of leg members, a crossrod pivoting the leg members together centrally thereof, upper ends of each pair of leg members being joined by crossrods, a table top, a pair of rails fixed to the undersurface of the table top, said rails being arranged adjacent side edge portions of the table top, a pair of opposed sockets in said rails at one end portion thereof, two pairs of opposed sockets in the other end portion of said rails, all of said sockets having common spring 7 clips, the crossrods at the upper ends of said leg members together centrally thereof, upper ends of each pair of leg members being joined by crossrods, a table top, a pair of rails fixed to the undersurface of the table top, said rails being arranged adjacent side edge portions of the table top, a pair of opposed sockets in said rails at one end portion thereof, two pairs of opposed sockets in the other end portion of said rails, all of said sockets having common spring clips, the crossrods at the upper ends of said leg members being retained in the first named sockets and one pair of the second named sockets when the table is in setup position, the first named crossrod engaging the other of said second named pair of sockets in support of the leg members in collapsed position on the undersurface of said table top, all of the crossrods being of greater length than the space between outer side surfaces of said rails to dispose the leg members outwardly of the rails, and said crossrods beingremovable from all of the sockets in detaching the table top for useas a tray.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

